Cyrus A. Mischke, age 93, of Crofton, Nebraska, left his earthly home Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.
Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 13, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Reverend Dean Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Frankfort Cemetery in rural Crofton, Nebraska with military honors provided by the Crofton American Legion Post No. 128. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.
Cyrus Alexander Mischke was born May 9, 1916 in Crofton, Nebraska to Martin and Louise (Garnjobst) Mischke. He was one of 11 children and grew up on a ranch north of Crofton. He attended Frankfort Country School and High School. When he was 26, he joined the United States Army and served in the European Theater during World War II. He served as a medical technician with the 95th General Hospital and received the Good Conduct Medal and Battle of the Bulge Citation. Cyrus was discharged on December 2, 1945 and married Helen Jensen on September 1, 1946 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After their marriage, they lived on the Missouri River bottom until the completion of Gavins Point Dam forced them to move. In 1956, they moved to the farm where he has lived ever since. Cyrus enjoyed ranching and farming with brothers on the Mischke Hereford Ranch where they raised cattle and bred registered Hereford bulls. He loved the land and enjoyed being outside fishing and hunting, especially with his sons in Wyoming. Later in life, he enjoyed watching and feeding the birds outside his window. Cyrus served on the Frankfort School Board and Cemetery Board. He was a 4-H leader and a member of the Crofton American Legion Post No. 128. Cyrus also was a member of the Brown Swiss Association, Simmental Association and American Hereford Association.
Cyrus is survived by his wife, Helen Mischke of Crofton, NE; five children: Steve (Linda) Mischke of Gillette, WY, David Mischke of Worland, WY, Bev (Don) Reimer of Broomfield, CO, James (Robin) Mischke of Thermopolis, WY and Lisa Mischke (Tom Harner) of Lincoln, NE; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, Gordon (Shirley) Mischke of Crofton; and many nieces and nephews.
Cyrus was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Brian Mischke; daughter-in-law, Susan Mischke; five brothers: Wayne, Stanley Martin, Jerome and Myron Mischke; and four sisters: Fern Mischke, Myrtle Reed, Joyce Langston and Evelyn Mischke.